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Promotion Committee Projects
Night Kitchens
In cooperation with the Hygienic Galleries, New London Main Street held the sixth annual Night Kitchens to serve crowds attending the 28th Annual Hygienic Art Show on January 27, 2007. This popular art exhibition features film, theatre, poetry, music, performance art, and uncensored work by young artists. In previous years the Hygienic Art Show has attracted people from Hartford, New Haven, Providence, New York City, as well as hundreds from our own community.
After the show, many of these people are looking to get out of the cold and to find an interesting place to eat and drink. Planning to feed the thousands of hungry and thirsty art lovers thronging downtown streets, city restaurants signed up to stay open late the evening of the Art Show. NLMS distributed over 500 flyers listing the participating restaurants staying open past 10 PM.
Mystic Whaler Welcome Party (Project Completed)
On June 23rd, 2006 the sailing Schooner Mystic Whaler made New London its home port. A reception welcomed the crew at City Pier Plaza, which was hosted by the City of New London and New London Main Street. State and federal legislators, commissioners, city councilors and regional business leaders sailed on board for the inaugural trip into port which was sponsored by UBS with support by Thames River Wine and Spirits.
Wet Paint Week
This outdoor painting event features dozens of artists creating exquisite works depicting the Historic Waterfront District. In 2007, this annual event will be the sixth for the artists who paint en plein air throughout the district September 1 through September 8, 2007. Artists exhibit finished paintings in gallery tent on the festival site.
If you are an art lover or just want to help NLMS organize this event, call 860-444-2489 or email Joanne Gibson, Volunteer Coordinnator.
Books, Brushes, Jazz & Blues Festival
This downtown festival will take place September 7-9, 2007 in the downtown Historic Waterfront District. The weekend event features a show of artists who have painted scenes of the district en plein air during the week prior to the event as well as regional authors. More than 20 downtown clubs and restaurants offer performances in the evening and at various times during the day by popular blues and jazz artists who hail from the region.
Volunteers with an interest in art, music, reading or just want to join in the fun, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Joanne Gibson at 860-444-2489 or via email.
Celts & Currachs
Come on down to this waterfront festival taking place on August 25, 2007. This event features Celtic music, food, dance and exhibition rowing races of traditional Irish currachs. Celebrate Celtic culture and traditions with traditional Irish dancers, pipe bands and musicians like Danny O' Flaherty and the Makem and Spain Brothers.
For any one with an interest in learning about Celtic culture or simply helping to organize this event, please call 860-444-2489 or email Joanne Gibson, Volunteer Coordinnator.
Fish, Tales, Tugs & Sails
A nautical-themed event that will fire up any child's imagination through quality entertainment, famous authors, balloon artists, big boats and interactive games. This innovative event promotes literacy and education to children of all ages in New London's Waterfront Park!
Celebration of Lights and Song
This annual holiday event features art gallery exhibits, fresh popped kettle corn, steaming homemade hot chocolate, dance performances and gingerbread making. Santa arrives City Pier via tugboat as ballet dancers perform The Nutcracker in storefront windows. Choral groups serenade the crowd with carols as visitors make their way to the tree lighting to jumpstart the holiday season.
The Holly and the Ivy: A Living History Play
Take a journey into the past during the holiday season by attending the production of The Holly and the Ivy, a living history play that takes place in four historic properties downtown.
To attend the play, the audience travels back in time on a horse and carriage ride to the Hempsted Houses in the early 1700's. Additional scenes take place in the Shaw Mansion and the Custom House, with the final scene of a soldier returning from World War II in 1945 in Union Station.
The material covers over 200 years of the city's rich history. The scenes are based on historical facts and the characters, allowing the audience to meet key figures in New London and Connecticut history. The play, written by award-winning Connecticut playwright Charles Traeger and presented under the direction of Flock Theatre, is produced by New London Main Street in collaboration with the New London County Historical Society, the New London Maritime Society, Antiquarian & Landmarks Society and the owners of Union Station. The production was sponsored in 2006 by Liberty Bank, The Day and Secor Saab, Volvo and Subaru and funded in part by the CT Humanities Council.
Inaugural Walk on Heritage Trail (Completed)
This event attracted more than 50 people downtown to take a guided journey through the historic waterfront district. To celebrate the completed installation project of over 30 bronze plaques, Municipal Historian Sally Ryan and New London Landmarks president Sandy Chalk led two guided tours, giving followers a glimpse into New London's rich past. If you decide to explore downtown New London's Heritage Trail, admire a building constructed by the same architect who built Carnegie Hall, see Tiffany windows in St. James Church or even discover a hidden mansion inside the Bank Street Roadhouse!
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